Business
New Try At Community Journalism
We started the BOISE GUARDIAN as a news blog back in May of 2005. One of the motivating factors was the decline of newspapers nationwide and the drastic increase in government flaks, spokespersons, spin doctors, or other titled “information specialists.” We wanted to give readers a forum to air their opinions and provide “the other […]
Schools Suffer, Taxpayers Forced To Subsidize Developers
Recent events in Ada County serve to illustrate the plight of Idaho school districts and taxpayers who are forced to subsidize developers who suck money from the community, thanks to politicos who are blinded by promises of growth and jobs. PROGRESS! West Ada Schools, like all school districts, are prohibited by law from charging “impact […]
School Bond Would Add $3400 Debt To Median Value Home
DISCLAIMER: The GUARDIAN does not endorse or oppose candidates or ballot measures. We try to stimulate discussion of issues and present facts often ignored by proponents or opponents. The March 14 bond election in the Boise School District is an important event. Entering into $171,000,000 of public debt is not to be taken lightly and […]
City Staff Real Estate Developer
Realizing there are potential pitfalls in reading internet sites, we offer the following info on the guy who claims on a LINKEDIN page to be one of the driving forces behind the recent proposal for a downtown baseball stadium, six hotels, and was recruited to use $500 million in city real estate to achieve city […]
Developer Seeks Welfare From Boise Citizens
Used to be developers planned their subdivisions around golf courses. These days, thanks to urban renewal, tax increment financing, special taxes like Auditorium Districts, and planning associations the developers have a virtual buffet of taxpayer-funded financing options surrounding sports stadiums. Such is the case with the plans revealed today in the STATESMAN by Sven Berg. […]
So Much For Unbiased City Survey Results
Boise’s Team Dave has used surveys to guide their efforts for everything from trolley cars and baseball parks to City budgeting efforts. Mayor Dave Bieter is fond of using the “survey results” to justify decisions about public safety and transportation. A reader sent us these Facebook screen shots today, questioning just how valid any survey […]
Trolley Folly, Desire Named Street Car Still Festers
We have spent years writing about the ongoing dream (nightmare) of tearing up the citizen’s streets to build an unwanted, unneeded street car, trolley, train in Boise. Today we have had numerous calls and e-mails on the topic. Each time it raises its ugly head, there is a public outcry, Team Dave defends their idea, […]
2017 Resolutions Unchanged From 2016.
The new year resolution list hasn’t changed, so we will gladly post anything you wish to add. The GUARDIAN promises to at least try to have a more positive attitude during the coming year. One step in that direction would be fulfilling the following list of New Year’s resolutions: –Boise city council will abandon any […]
Statesman Building For Sale $6.9 million
News to some and “old news” to others, the hometown paper without a printing press will be searching for a new home if the building at Curtis and Irving sells. Don Day at BOISEDEV first broke the story several weeks ago. A reader offered us a “breaking news” tip today and it appears after reading […]
Boise Council Continues Urban Sprawl Policy
Boise City Councilors continued the policy of “urban sprawl” Tuesday night when they ignored dozens of citizen’s concerns and approved a massive 2,000 home development south of the airport. Syringa Valley–which has no syringas or valley–will be nearly adjacent to a planned third runway at the airport which is already subject of citizen outrage due […]
Random Points To Ponder
Sorry for the lack of material of late, but the fire in my ample belly is not burning too hot. For the sake of discussion and hoping to stimulate some discussion I will offer points to ponder, admittedly not researched, but worth noting. –DAVE FRAZIER, editor ADA COUNTY–We have been informed that two former “operations […]
Team Dave At Odds With ITD, ACHD Pros
Boise’s urban renewal agency, Capital City Development Corp., and Mayor Dave Bieter’s Team Dave are at odds with both state and county road agencies over how to operate the Front-Myrtle corridor in downtown Boise, according to Don Day’s BOISE DEV website. Day did some really good reporting as he explained how Bieter and crew continue […]
BoiseDev Blog Hints At Stadium Deal
A new voice on the news/blogging scene is BoiseDev (elopement) operated by KTVB-7 refugee Don Day who ran the website for the TV station. His family has deep roots in Boise–family owns Vista Village and an uncle was once mayor. He recently posted a “Scoop” about Mayor Dave Bieter’s apparent behind-the-scenes efforts to build a […]
On-Line Poachers Hack Idaho F&G
It may not be Wikileaks or Hillary’s missing 15,000 missing messages, but a computer breach that is more serious than politics was revealed Wednesday evening in Idaho. Other states are checking for breaches as well. Here is the report from Idaho’s Fish and Game Department. Wednesday, August 24, 2016 – 9:10 PM MDT The Idaho […]
Downtown Car Noise Bad, Bench Jets Good
We noticed a piece in the STATESMAN claiming guests at The Modern Hotel complain that noise from young “cruise” motorists keeps them up at night as they circle up and down Main and Idaho between Capital and 14th. The former Travel Lodge Motel is at 13th and Grove and is now a hipster trendy motel-bar. […]
BPD Makes Wall Street Journal As Dupe Of TASER
With the nationwide clamor for police “body cams” making headlines, the sale of the devices is highly competitive. TASER, known for the non-lethal shocking devices that put people to their knees with a blast of high voltage electricity, is one of the leaders in manufacture and sale of the body cameras. It seems they have […]
All Bets Are Off At Les Bois Park
After operating without a required live racing permit since January 1, Treasure Valley Racing is cutting the cord on the simulcast gambling at Les Bois Park. Idaho Code says: “No license authorizing simulcasting and/or televised races shall be issued to or renewed for persons that are not also licensed to conduct live race meets in […]
Bike-Car Plan Hearing Wednesday At City Hall
Looks like any way you cut it, bikes are about to trump cars in Downtown Boise. If you want a voice in the motoring/cycling future, here is where you can vent or offer advice. ACHD RELEASE The Ada County Highway District (ACHD) will host an open house tomorrow (Wednesday, March 16) to gather public opinion […]
GUARDIAN Bus Would Run Every 13 Sec. For Cost Of Trolley
In the quest to make downtown Boise the most “unfriendly car city” in America, Boise’s Team Dave has come up with, would you believe yet another…TROLLEY CIRCULATOR plan. The Boise WEEKLY’s George Prentice offers a look which prompted the GUARDIAN to turn to the calculator for perspective. Using the City’s figures, reported by Prentice, we […]
Wells Fargo: GBAD Deal Too Risky
After countless hours and thousands of dollars spent on legal advice, the Greater Boise Auditorium District learned their bank was no longer interested in making a loan. Wells Fargo Bank backed out of an agreement last month to fund a $24 million construction project that centered around a new ballroom in a building being constructed […]
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